Licensing question

[skiflyer]

I'm a bit baffled by the GNU Public License which governs mySQL, and was hoping for a little clarification.

1) I make a program, which relies on mySQL as a database... can I bundle mySQL with my program which I sell for a profit?

2) I make a program, which relies on mySQL as a database, I do the setups for customers, when I go in, I first install mySQL, then install my application, am I legal?

3) I make a program, which relies on mySQL as a database, which I put on a server and lease out to a customer. Do I need a commercial license?

And then, just what was the whole settlement with Nusphere about, I always figured they were selling their IDE, and bundled mySQL/Apache/PHP/Perl with it so you could use their IDE to develop in those environments.

Any clarification would be greatly appreciated... if you don't mind specifying how you've gotten the knowledge that'd also be great (as in, you're interpretation of the License, or if you're quoting legal precedence)... I really want to avoid all sticky ground here.

-Rob

 

[QatQat]

This will help you

http://www.mysql.com/doc/en/Using_the_MySQL_software_for_free_under_GPL.html

For what concerns using Mysql for you programs and installing it to your customers

_from Mysql licensing page
If you use the MySQL database software in a commercial context such that you profit by its use, we ask that you further the development of the MySQL software by purchasing some level of support. We feel that if the MySQL database helps your business, it is reasonable to ask that you help MySQL AB. (Otherwise, if you ask us support questions, you are not only using for free something into which we've put a lot a work, you're asking us to provide free support, too.)


This does not mean anyway that you have to purchase it in order to use it in your applications; it means that you should contribute to its development cpnsidering the fact that you are making money out of it.

I personally think their request is fair; I develop a lot using MySQL and MS SQL and believe me, customers are well happy to pay a few bucks for MySQL than a few grand for MS SQL.

Bye


Qatqat